Welcome to today’s #HackLearning chat! I’m helping to moderate today with @hackmylearning! Coming at ya live from near Niagara Falls, NY! Let’s get hacky!
Coffee. Not. Brewing. Fast. Enough. Send. Help.
#NotesFromNationalEmergency :)
G'mornin', #hacklearning!
Karl, 3rd-6th gr basic skills ELA teacher from the Jersey shore.
Let's do this!
Good Morning, #hacklearning
I'm Lee, Director of Technology and Learning Analytics @EastRockawaySD on Long Island, NY. I'm passionate of student-centered learning!
Good morning! Sylvia, Writing Coach / Reading Teacher @BrandonHSEagles ... feeling better this morning! Also, the moderator of #HackLearning slow chat ... enjoyed reflecting with everyone this week. Thanks for improving your craft with me this week. Let's chat more!
Morning, #hacklearning. I'm Brian. I teach middle-schools students English in currently cold Colorado. (I enjoy alliterations like 'contemporary considerations,' too!)
A1: In the book, we talk about voices and choices. Students can offer options that build buy-in and engagement if teachers are open to receiving them. (And acting on them!) #HackLearning
when they are more involved they own their learning and can reach flow.
passion projects, letting them know you are interested, weaving their interests into lessons
#HackLearning
A1: Can't praise the benefits of #geniushour enough when trying to peak student interest. Think of how many mini-lessons can be embedded within projects like those?? #hacklearning
A1 I asked my students their interests to pull passages to read ... when teaching reading skills any passage will do so why not try one they are interested in? Makes the work more independent (rigorous) too because they can’t copy 😜 #HackLearning
A1. As with all things, it starts with relationships. Get to know your kids, build relationships with them. Then give them choice in their lessons & assessments.
#hacklearning
A1: We first need to know students’ interests and passions. This can’t just be a beginning of the year survey or activity. This needs to be a priority and continue throughout the school year. #HackLearning
A1) Students' interests and passions could be incorporated into the curriculum, lessons, projects, genius hour time, etc. Make learning about the students. #HackLearning
A1. Surround your Ss with passionate people. Call in guest speakers & show your class videos of people doing what they love. Even if a student isn’t particularly interested in the topic, he will appreciate the enthusiasm & see that it’s OK to express it openly. #hacklearning
using student interests/passions in learning activities is dependent on the class ... My tech class is easy to link to what the kids want to do ... my US History class is not quite so free. #hacklearning
A1: Take time to build relationships. Know what Ss like & find ways to include them. Genius Hour projects & student choice are great ways to start. #HackLearning
A1. The power of interdisciplinary learning should not be underestimated. The best way to help reinforce a student’s passion is to show them that it can be applied to & enriched by multiple subjects. #hacklearning
I'm going to back up the train on Q1 and say that sometimes the most important thing I can do is offer diverse experiences in order to provoke unknown passions. Too many Ss ( #elemed ) are experience-limited. Need to help them with that.
#hacklearning
A1: I believe students need to feel what they are being taught has a purpose in their lives: Increasing Relevance in Learning #HackLearninghttps://t.co/CAfBzwaWIX
A1: Relationships first, build on Ss interests. Share your interests with Ss too! I appreciate Ts who connect my own child's interests, it really matters!
#hacklearning
What if I reboot Q1: How can students use their interests & passions to support their learning?
Corollary: How might we in our roles facilitate students' capacities to make connections betw learning objectives & what matters to them, in service of all of the above? #hacklearning
A1: PBL is a great way to follow Ss interests. Have any of you read Soundings by Mark Springer? An amazing example of tailoring the curriculum to Ss passions and questions
#HackLearning
Genius Hour projects are an awesome way to amplify passion-based, student-directed learning!!
#HackLearning
My updated collection of Genius Hour resources is here:
https://t.co/9S0xguppFU
Yes! And in a previous #HackLearning chat I remember someone suggesting that we schedule these for the year so that we don’t allow them to only exist in the beginning of the year ☺️
A1: We first need to know students’ interests and passions. This can’t just be a beginning of the year survey or activity. This needs to be a priority and continue throughout the school year. #HackLearning
A1: We first need to know students’ interests and passions. This can’t just be a beginning of the year survey or activity. This needs to be a priority and continue throughout the school year. #HackLearning
Don't we want students to find their passions beyond the classroom? Seems like we would bring their passions into the classroom to do so. #HackLearning
I'm going to back up the train on Q1 and say that sometimes the most important thing I can do is offer diverse experiences in order to provoke unknown passions. Too many Ss ( #elemed ) are experience-limited. Need to help them with that.
#hacklearning
A1. Understand what passion means for different Ss. Some may have no trouble understanding what passion is, others may feel uncomfortable with the concept. Recognize that some Ss have passionate parents & others may have been discouraged to show such expression. #hacklearning
A1: #UDL is all about student engagement, representation, and action and expression, and giving students’ choice in those areas! Visit @CAST_UDL for more info and examples, and follow @KatieNovakUDL and @ElizabethLStein! #HackLearning
A1. Ts who understand the power of Ss' passions as well as those who simply are concerned about making Ss’ lives as stress-free as possible will explore how each learner’s fascinations & areas of interest might be used in times of crisis, stress, & difficulty. #hacklearning
A1: It is super important that Ss have voice and choice when it comes to their learning. For instance, when Ss get to develop projects with tech or choose to make an art piece instead- their passions are evident! #hacklearning
A1~classrooms should be filled with #positivity, praise, tools/resources, staff that represent the diversity of our classrooms & Ss interests, passions should a part of, not add on of all learning experiences
#HackLearning
Q1. Conversation & saying YES to uncertain, nebulous project ideas & allowing them to stumble thru trying to find their direction & voice is important. It's HARD, though. Time constraints are real and need consideration. Delicate balance betw prompting & pushing.
#hacklearning
A2: As in Q1, student voices matter so much! Out loud creativity and zero parameters on thinking matter very much. Perhaps try going a week without saying “no.” Everything on the table. All of the “what-ifs” none of the “buts” or “maybes!” #HackLearning
A1 Bringing in their passions and interests help make connections and makes it relevant. Also sparks curiosity for other Ss passions/interests. #HackLearning
A1. The power of interdisciplinary learning should not be underestimated. The best way to help reinforce a student’s passion is to show them that it can be applied to & enriched by multiple subjects. #hacklearning
A2 Ok you have to go to their games, plays, showcases and anyplace that they get to display their work and you must then talk about it with them next time you see them...
#HackLearning
Agree. Our makerspace (an outdoor "messy" area with lots of tools and materials) has become the hub of our school. Ss come early, stay late, & spend every free moment there.
#HackLearning
A1. At risk of sounding overly critical, it's pretty tough to get students to be passionate or even interested when curriculum is set from on high and is not responsive to S interest or, God forbid, driven by it. #hacklearning
A2: I’m not a fan of the “innovation” word because too often is a euphemism for creativity. We need to support creativity. Until something is assessed as impactful AND transferable, it can’t be innovative #hacklearning
Absolutely. This is root level developing relationships and making kids understand that you care about their world, not just their learning! #HackLearning
A2. First, I think we would need to define innovation. I'm not really sure any of us (classroom teachers) are truly innovative, nor am I sure that Ss can be innovative within the structures we lay out. #hacklearning
A2 we must PLAN for it ... find the time in the schedule / curriculum / standards to change sit’n’get to experience / hands-on learning that allows them to construct learning - easier to say than do 🤯 #HackLearning
learning is about creating opportunity for the kids ... they need the opportunity to do things beyond working through problems from the book ... stuff that actually stretches their thinking. #hacklearning
A1. Understand where a S’s passion comes from. For some, it may be a way to hide from -ve events at home/school. For others, it may be a way to please a parent/connect with friends. Wherever it comes from, understanding its origin helps Ts direct its growth. #hacklearning
Both innovation and creativity come from places of deep thinking and doing something different than anyone has thought to do it before. I’m a HUGE fan of innovation! But not necessarily a lexiphanicist… #HackLearning ;-)
A2: We need to take risks, and be open to change and feedback. Oftentimes, students are more easy going and open to new things compared to adults. Be flexible! #HackLearning
It's interesting to have Ss spend time coming up with all kinds of questions they have about life & the world, & then work with them to tie them into the curriculum. Suddenly the curriculum becomes a living document that's meaningful to them.
#HackLearning
We can say "support teachers" but before we can "support" we have to have teachers who will willing step out and do ... buying the equipment for them won't make them want to use it. #hacklearning
A2: As in Q1, student voices matter so much! Out loud creativity and zero parameters on thinking matter very much. Perhaps try going a week without saying “no.” Everything on the table. All of the “what-ifs” none of the “buts” or “maybes!” #HackLearning
Not really. Again, doing something new isn’t innovative; you are literally creating something new. I would bestow innovation on something that works, and changes the game. #hacklearning
A2 we model innovation ourselves, we facilitate students asking questions that lead to discovery and creation. We celebrate innovation and risk taking #hacklearning
A2. Let Ss share their passions. It is important to let Ss pursue their passions individually, but it is equally important to let them share their passions with others. In the absence of feedback or judgment, the act of sharing something is personally fulfilling. #hacklearning
This isn't overly critical. One of my major criticisms of PD is that's is usually about what someone thinks I need rather than what I actually need because no one's bothered to ask me. The same is true for student learning: we've got to ask them + not assume. #HackLearning
A2: Attend their events..plays, sports, clubs, etc. Allow S choice in class! Take risks yourself! Let students LEAD! A K student once taught the computer class for a sub, she was grateful. Why not?! ❤️✨
#hacklearning
So often people come to our campus with the latest “innovation” but can not articulate the results that make it innovative. They call it a game changer, but in practice it’s not. #hacklearning
Conversation and YES, again.
"How would you have done differently?" "What changes would you want in the next version of__?" "What if___?"
My #elemed Ss don't know that they are supposed to challenge & change the world around them. They see and accept.
#hacklearning
Taking the time to define our terms and make sure the structures are in place to support our outcomes seems like a pretty sound plan for success. #hacklearning
A2: Yes! Take risks, even if they're small. Find ways to let go & increase student autonomy. It may seem daunting, but it will be powerful!! #HackLearning
A2: We need to take risks, and be open to change and feedback. Oftentimes, students are more easy going and open to new things compared to adults. Be flexible! #HackLearning
All these ideas take planning and work .... let’s be thought partners this week as we design new ways of instruction #HackLearning ... slow chat all week with me!
Agree. Our makerspace (an outdoor "messy" area with lots of tools and materials) has become the hub of our school. Ss come early, stay late, & spend every free moment there.
#HackLearning
So often people come to our campus with the latest “innovation” but can not articulate the results that make it innovative. They call it a game changer, but in practice it’s not. #hacklearning
It's important to model curiosity and inquiry in the classroom. Show students how you investigate one of your interests. Model how it is to be a life-long learner. Share the process!!
#hacklearning
A2: Step 1 is to give them the experiences. This podcast also discusses the edge effect and how putting kids in cultures to learn makes them more creative #hacklearninghttps://t.co/wvq5798F4g
A2 Point out when we or students settle for what we've done before, out of habit or expediency. Sometimes, acknowledge that this is okay. Other times, stretch w/silly, arbitrary goals like: List 27 different ways we could learn this & show our learning, then pick 1! #hacklearning
The issue in our field is we don’t stop to define terms and metrics of success. We just move forward and try new things hoping something will “work” (whatever that means) #hacklearning
It's important to model curiosity and inquiry in the classroom. Show students how you investigate one of your interests. Model how it is to be a life-long learner. Share the process!!
#hacklearning
Oh, man. You said it out loud. Now we have to turn the mirrors on ourselves.
Here's my $0.02 : We have to KNOW the rules so well, we can break them, Then we have to teach our Ss the rules so well, we can break them together.
Innovation is about rule breaking.
#hacklearning
A2 I think we need to rethink our instruction to make it much more student centered student owned. We can follow our curriculum but allow our students to lead when we are #intentional and thoughtful about our instruction #hacklearning
I see your point. But this has really worked for some of my Ts. The Ss have decided what they want to learn and have run with it. When they talk to me about the experience they say, "Carla, please tell all Ts to do this!"
#HackLearning
A3: For one thing, we need to stop grading desired behaviors. If the grades don’t represent learning, then they are useless. (And they are already quite useless.) Connect to students through feedback and conversations. They are your apprentices! #HackLearning
A3. School leaders from every level are key to shaping school culture. Principals communicate core values in their everyday work. Ts reinforce values in their actions & words. Parents bolster spirit when they visit school, & everyone celebrates success = connected. #hacklearning
Don't we want students to find their passions beyond the classroom? Seems like we would bring their passions into the classroom to do so. #HackLearning
Oh, man. You said it out loud. Now we have to turn the mirrors on ourselves.
Here's my $0.02 : We have to KNOW the rules so well, we can break them, Then we have to teach our Ss the rules so well, we can break them together.
Innovation is about rule breaking.
#hacklearning
This bit made me recall Harriet Rubin's words via @gcouros: "Freedom is actually a bigger game than power. Power is about what you can control. Freedom is about what you can unleash." #hacklearning
This bit made me recall Harriet Rubin's words via @gcouros: "Freedom is actually a bigger game than power. Power is about what you can control. Freedom is about what you can unleash." #hacklearning
A3 it starts with me ... this is what I need to work on ... I love the turn of phrase ... I need to post this as a mantra for my daily acts ... connect > correct #HackLearning
I also reflect that for some reason we feel “disappointed” with creativity. Like that is somehow “less than” innovation. I am not sure why. #HackLearning
agreed and sometimes we need to go back to something that worked 20 years ago because that is what the kids need. When I took over our FabLab i shifted the focus away from the 21st century tech and back to basic building ... positive response from the kids #hacklearning
Thanks for sharing. I’m a true believer. As Rita said “Every child needs a champion “ Make those connections, take the time to help them shine! #hacklearning
A3: We need to start with relationships. As adults, we know it is hard to take feedback from a person we don’t have a relationship with. Same goes with children. Build relationships so you have a relationship to restore if needed. #HackLearning
I love it. What age? What context? How much autonomy allowed you by admin? Also, "what they want to learn and have run with it" suggests you have a great deal of curricular freedom, and also makes me wonder how school curriculum is written. #HackLearning
A1: Can't praise the benefits of #geniushour enough when trying to peak student interest. Think of how many mini-lessons can be embedded within projects like those?? #hacklearning
Truth. I’m all for trying something new; but if you want us to try something new, why not let us be creative with our expertise instead of paying an outsider with theirs #hacklearning
A3. ALL staff can assist by developing inclusive whole-school practices, & by modelling & explicitly teaching pro-social values & expectations. Diversity can also be promoted & demonstrated by including student & parent voices in decision-making processes. #hacklearning
A3. Schools with strong positive cultures are places with a shared sense of what is important, a shared ethos of caring & concern, & a shared commitment to helping Ss learn = highly connected. #hacklearning
A3: When giving feedback with the red pen, do Ss know where you're coming from? A place of caring and support or simply a place of judgement? #hacklearning
A3 Assuming some amount of redirecting is part of the job(s) description, then how & why we correct influences whether or not we connect. #hacklearning
Yes! Penalizing learning is about correction ... learning by connecting 1 step to the next promotes the idea that sts can and should take risks in learning new things #HackLearning
A3: For one thing, we need to stop grading desired behaviors. If the grades don’t represent learning, then they are useless. (And they are already quite useless.) Connect to students through feedback and conversations. They are your apprentices! #HackLearning
A3: Let students get to know you as a person - show students you make mistakes, accept feedback from your admin, families, and them, and that you’re working on improving in certain areas, too! #HackLearning
A3~
~foster strong relationships that are continually tweaked, refined & evolve according to Ss & classroom needs ~ starts on day 1
~model risk taking ~ bumps & all and the resilience & fortitude to get back up & SOAR
~laughter in teaching/learning is key imho
#hacklearning
Students shouldn't sit in school for eight hours a day waiting to do what's relevant + interesting to them, so we need to understand their interests, knowledge + skills they already have + set up environments where they can be used because they're valid + valued. #HackLearning
A3. Open the doors to each other's understanding and humanity. Break down walls between learning and life, and between the disciplines. LISTEN. #hacklearning
Our curriculum is more skill based than content based & is written by our Ts (with lots of exemplars) These are 9th - 12th Ss. I'm admin and in the last 5 years I've been working hard on giving up more & more control (it's a continuum, I never truly get there)
#HackLearning
but then innovation is based on perspective ... what is "innovative" for one person may not be "innovative" for another. I see teachers stumble on to something "new" that I used and discarded years ago, but to them it is a game changer. #hacklearning
In reply to
@3_DLeadership, @conniehamilton, @fisher1000
Here are working definitions for me; recreation or reproducing is doing the same thing we’ve done before.
Creation and creativity is doing something new. Innovation is paradigm changing because you can replicate the results because it’s been tested. #hacklearning
In reply to
@KyleHamstra, @DennisDill, @conniehamilton, @fisher1000
Share learning.
See learning.
Question the what, the why, the how.
Build through common concerns and cares.
They learn differently, but...
our commonality > our differences
We learn more when we build together and on each other's inner workings.
#HackLearning
Agree. And I believe we need to focus on self-evaluation. The better Ss are at self-evaluation, the more independent they become. But it takes guidance - some of them need soooo much help in seeing their strengths.
#HackLearning
A3 Provide opportunities to uncover individual thinking that leads to Collaboration with others to problem solve. Not always ‘one’ way to do things - together we are better! #HackLearning
We have to remove the idea that school is about notions of "right" and "best" in an individualistic sense + start creating environments where students make meaning together. The amount of toxic competition needs to be reduced; it's a huge part of student anxiety. #HackLearning
A1: I think we do that by listening/ encouraging Ss ?s, giving Ss time/skills to research their ?s, and then when coming near that topic in traditional teaching we utilize those Ss as “experts” on the topic. Here are some of my Ss latest curiosities to research: #hacklearning
A3: It’s all about connections and relationships. Every single person you come in contact with in a school needs to know you are there to build relationships with them in order to make it a better place for Ss! #hacklearning
Thanks to all who participated in today’s #HackLearning chat. I’d like to give you access to our 61 page bonus hack book for free! https://t.co/4DblLp5mjR It includes a bonus hack, a study guide, and organizing templates!
Join #HackLearning chat February 24 at 8:30-9:00am EDT when Jacie Maslyk @DrJacieMaslyk will be guest moderator leading chat on the "hacky" topic of Creativity
In #FutureReady classrooms:
1. Teachers are GUIDES on the RIDE.
2. CHOICE is embedded into learning tasks.
3. Students work COLLABORATIVELY.
4. Learners are EMPOWERED.
5. Technology is used to CREATE.
#HackLearning#sunchathttps://t.co/dgVwIKz35p
A3: Your classroom will always feel like a room of correcting if you have no connection. Start small: Friday Favorites. For your do now on Fridays, ask students their fav animal, ice cream flavor, tv show, etc. Share yours too. And use then use the info you learn! #HackLearning
Culture - whether one of connection or correction - is a result of what we see as our purpose & our destination. Talk about purpose, think about your “ideal state” & consider the pathways towards that destination; these steps are key to a culture of connection! #HackLearning
Yup. Innovation is measured. You have to assess it. That’s the big difference for me #hacklearning - and again, creativity is awesome! We shouldn’t downplay it
